ODNR Fishing Report 08/31/2004: OH

Article Posted: August 31, 2004

** The 15" walleye minimum size limit remains in effect for the entireseason.**

Surface temperatures are around 70 degrees.

Western Basin

WalleyeWalleye fishing is slowing down in the western basin; however, fish continueto be caught in the northwest reef area along the border and also 4 to 5miles N of Crane Creek. Drifting mayfly rigs and trolling spoons or wormharnesses produce the most fish. Walleye hatched in 2003 are already beingcaught; please handle these sub-legal fish as gently as possible and quicklyreturn them to the water.

Yellow PerchYellow perch fishing is improving in the western basin. The best fishinghas been W of west reef near North Bass Island, E of Ballast Island, aroundthe foghorn near Cedar Point, and around "C" can of the Camp Perry firingrange. Fish just off the bottom using perch spreaders tipped with shiners.

WalleyeThe best walleye fishing has been N of Lorain along the east side of thesandbar, 7 to 10 miles N of Ashtabula in 70 to 72 feet of water, and 8 milesNW of Conneaut in 70 feet of water. Trolling spoons or worm harnesses usingdivers or downriggers has produced the best catches.

Yellow PerchYellow perch fishing has been best 1 to 2 miles N of Vermilion and Lorain, 4to 5 miles N of Eastlake in 40 to 52 feet of water, 3 miles NW of FairportHarbor in 47 to 50 feet of water, 4 to 5 miles N of Cleveland in 40 to 52feet of water, and 4 miles N of Conneaut in 60 to 65 feet of water. A perchspreader tipped with shiners is the most popular set-up.

Smallmouth BassThe best smallmouth bass fishing has been around Ruggles Reef and AvonPoint. Tube jigs have been the most productive lures.

SteelheadSteelhead have been caught by anglers trolling spoons 6 to 8 miles N-NW ofAshtabula in 68 to 70 feet of water. Target areas with schools of baitfishwhere walleye are also being caught.

White BassWhite bass have been caught by anglers using shiners at Edgewater and theCleveland lakefront in 15 to 30 feet of water, and 4 to 5 miles N ofCleveland in 48 to 57 feet of water.